Yikes! So many “where to live?” threads... let's add another!? (Seattle: sublets, apartment complexes)

[seedavyrun]

I feel like my question is different enough from the other "Where to live?" threads to justify it....
My (2) cats and I are moving to TC from Utah at the end of July I’ll be working in Pasco, just across the highway-bridge from Kennewick. Does that rule Richland out— is it too far out of the way? I'm from a small town where the commute to work is >10 minutes in rush hour— I’m anticipating it'll be different wherever I wind up and honestly won’t mind. But still I wonder: how does the traffic flow in the TC?

So far, my search has resulted in an assortment of apartment complexes. They all look perfectly adequate, and thus-far am most drawn to Copper Ridge. One of my hangups is it might be a bit out of the way. I don’t want to live somewhere my [pending] friends won’t want to drive to….

Also: what about smaller apartment buildings where the landlord knows your name and stops by when the faucet drips? Do those exist in the TC? What of home rentals or sublets? Where might those be listed?

I’ve never lived near a river, so that might be cool, to do… Is there a specific neighborhood near the river that has a high turnover where I might find a cool place? How might I go about finding such a place from Utah? (I know how Google works, but amn’t sure what to search for!)

Ideally we’d live somewhere that has a third floor balcony where my cats can hang out and watch the birds (but which is too high up for them to jump).

Are there specific apartment management companies that I should be checking out/contacting— ones that aren’t related to the behemoth ones on the top of every Google search?

Last: I’ve noticed people calling the area “TC” on the board; I want to know what the locals call it. Tri-Cities? THE TriCities area? The TC? T.C.? Do we hyphenate it?

Am excited for this adventure— have never lived outside Utah— and have been researching as much as I can so as not to come to this chat empty-handed. Any extra advice (about the area, where to live, where NOT to live) is appreciated!

[j_k_k]

Locals mostly say 'the Tri-Cities.' One also hears 'Dry Cities,' 'the Tri,' and so on.

There really aren't any bad areas. There are less nice areas, like parts of northeast Kennewick and east Pasco. There may not be that many three-story apartment buildings, that could be a tough one.

There is less snow than Utah, and it's hotter and drier in summer, colder and drier in winter. Lower altitude makes a big difference.

If it matters--and the TC are about 11% LDS last I looked, so it matters to a significant number of locals--the local Temple is in south Richland. On balance Richland is probably more Mormony than the other two, though there are wards all around the area. It's kind of the outer fringes of the Jello Belt.

I have no useful advice on apartment hunting; last time I did it, it was 1997, and the last time I lived in one was 2001, when the company raised rent on a three-bedroom, two-bath unit from $800 to $1100. We decided that was so exorbitant it basically forced us to buy a house. Unless you can't stand the idea of home ownership, or can't qualify, there are a lot of small houses in the TC that are probably still reasonably priced as good starter homes.

There are fun things to do in the Tri, one just has to be willing to give them a try. It's not ideal for young singles living; a lot of people move back to raise their families there if they can get good steady Hanford jobs. Which, if they are part of the local connection network, they nearly always can. If they are not part of that network, don't bet on it.

[pnwguy2]

"The Tri-Cities" is most common, but "The Tri" is also used. (dry cities is not heard often, but it is true as it has less precipitation than anywhere else in the State, (last winter excluded!).

The area continues to be the fastest growing in the State, and the cost of living continues to be among the lowest in the State.

It is indeed a family area, but singles can function here just fine. Apartment rents are still somewhat high, expect to pay 900-1100 for a one bedroom, and even more for the the newer units. Still a heck of a lot less than Seattle or Portland.

House prices are a better deal. What will cost 700K in Seattle/suburbs is about 300K in The Tri.

As for your original question, Pasco to Richland is not a huge commute. I-182 is a multi-lane freeway, rarely with traffic, and can get you from Pasco to Richland in less than 10 minutes.

The freeway system in The Tri is advanced, mostly due to government funding around Hanford, but it is a highly advanced freeway system for its size.

[seedavyrun]

Originally Posted by j_k_k

Locals mostly say 'the Tri-Cities.' One also hears 'Dry Cities,' 'the Tri,' and so on.

There really aren't any bad areas. There are less nice areas, like parts of northeast Kennewick and east Pasco. There may not be that many three-story apartment buildings, that could be a tough one.

There is less snow than Utah, and it's hotter and drier in summer, colder and drier in winter. Lower altitude makes a big difference.

If it matters--and the TC are about 11% LDS last I looked, so it matters to a significant number of locals--the local Temple is in south Richland. On balance Richland is probably more Mormony than the other two, though there are wards all around the area. It's kind of the outer fringes of the Jello Belt.

I have no useful advice on apartment hunting; last time I did it, it was 1997, and the last time I lived in one was 2001, when the company raised rent on a three-bedroom, two-bath unit from $800 to $1100. We decided that was so exorbitant it basically forced us to buy a house. Unless you can't stand the idea of home ownership, or can't qualify, there are a lot of small houses in the TC that are probably still reasonably priced as good starter homes.

There are fun things to do in the Tri, one just has to be willing to give them a try. It's not ideal for young singles living; a lot of people move back to raise their families there if they can get good steady Hanford jobs. Which, if they are part of the local connection network, they nearly always can. If they are not part of that network, don't bet on it.

Thanks for the quick response! I'm actually not SUPER worried about the density of Mormons; am so very excited to live somewhere a tad more diverse than Utah! I know that the Tri is hardly a metropolitan melting pot, but am taking baby-steps toward the big, wide world outside of "Zion". (That said, I was pleased to see you know the term "jello belt"; very comforting!)

Where I am just out of college and not ready for home ownership (student loans are...so great!), I'll probably have to stick to renting for now. What can you tell me about the local news stations? Do people still watch the news up there? Is there a regional #1 station that everyone watches? (I see an NBC affiliate and a CBS affiliate; any others?)

Also, do you know which growing zone the area is located in?

[seedavyrun]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

"The Tri-Cities" is most common, but "The Tri" is also used. (dry cities is not heard often, but it is true as it has less precipitation than anywhere else in the State, (last winter excluded!).

The area continues to be the fastest growing in the State, and the cost of living continues to be among the lowest in the State.

It is indeed a family area, but singles can function here just fine. Apartment rents are still somewhat high, expect to pay 900-1100 for a one bedroom, and even more for the the newer units. Still a heck of a lot less than Seattle or Portland.

House prices are a better deal. What will cost 700K in Seattle/suburbs is about 300K in The Tri.

As for your original question, Pasco to Richland is not a huge commute. I-182 is a multi-lane freeway, rarely with traffic, and can get you from Pasco to Richland in less than 10 minutes.

The freeway system in The Tri is advanced, mostly due to government funding around Hanford, but it is a highly advanced freeway system for its size.

Thanks for your knowledge: I do love a low cost of living! I actually prefer bedroom communities with more families than singles; I'm from Utah (where everyone gets married at 19-21), so this is a detail I wont mind!

I saw you offer your knowledge about specific apartment complexes on another thread-- what can you tell me about Copper Ridge? How far out of the way is it? (The map makes it look so far away.)

Similarly: do you know of any apartment/property management companies that I should be checking out/contacting— ones that aren’t related to the behemoths at the top of every Google search? I'm not 55+ and I do not need to live somewhere that lists "tanning beds" as a major selling point. What do you about rental properties; townhouses and the like?

[pnwguy2]

CBS-KEPR, Ch. 19 on cable, NBC-KNDU/KNDO, Ch. 23 on cable, ABC, Ch. 35 on cable. Fox Ch. 11 on cable.

Growing areas: Steptoe in west Kennewick, Queensgate in South Richland, and Southridge in South Kennewick. Let me get back to you on Copper Ridge...

[pnwguy2]

Copper Ridge is the Southridge area of Kennewick. This is an area of tremendous growth. New roads going in left and right. Easy access to I-82, and good access to the City of Kennewick. Nice, new area, close to Wal-Mart, and additional businesses. Right off the 395, a north/south highway from I-82 up to Spokane.

[seedavyrun]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

CBS-KEPR, Ch. 19 on cable, NBC-KNDU/KNDO, Ch. 23 on cable, ABC, Ch. 35 on cable. Fox Ch. 11 on cable.

Growing areas: Steptoe in west Kennewick, Queensgate in South Richland, and Southridge in South Kennewick. Let me get back to you on Copper Ridge...

You're a fast responder! This is great!
What are the reputations of each of those stations? Is there one that more people prefer to tune in to? Who has the most likeable team? (In my area everyone watches the news and has a favorite, it's a way I've found to easily get a read on someone or start a new friendship.)

I'm embarrassed to admit I don't understand the term growing areas.
Sorry, does this mean they're areas I should look into for rental properties instead of apartments?

[seedavyrun]

Originally Posted by seedavyrun

You're a fast responder! This is great!
What are the reputations of each of those stations? Is there one that more people prefer to tune in to? Who has the most likeable team? (In my area everyone watches the news and has a favorite, it's a way I've found to easily get a read on someone or start a new friendship.)

I'm embarrassed to admit I don't understand the term growing areas.
Sorry, does this mean they're areas I should look into for rental properties instead of apartments?

Oh my goodness, @pnwguy2, I'm ridiculous and so sorry. In my haste, I forgot I asked about growing zones! I meant for plants and the like. I am currently living in a 4a Zone ... I guess I could Google it but people usually know about their own microclimates and such.

[pnwguy2]

Growing areas: New construction, sometimes good rates, but you have to check around because some newer apartments are higher cost. I'm talking apartments, not rental houses. You will probably find better rental apartment rates at older complexes, which exist all over the area.

KNDU/KNDO (NBC) is the most reputable. (They serve Tri-Cities and Yakima, but operate out of Tri).

Let me know if I can answer any other questions!